The last thing Stephen Rooney said after he saw the sky light up above his New Jersey home was: “Don’t worry, guys. The storm passed. Besides that, you’re with me — lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same family.”

Rooney’s family and friends knew what he meant.

Rooney was 5 years old when his father was killed by a lightning bolt 48 years ago while fishing in Fortescue, NJ.

But fate struck again on July 3 while Rooney, 54, was enjoying a backyard barbecue at the family home in Hammonton.

Police said Rooney and his cousin Scott Digeralamo stepped away from the others to smoke cigars.

Rooney shrugged off the lightning danger just before a bolt struck the ground near them. It was so powerful that it tore the bark off the family’s tree.

Rescue workers tried to revive Rooney with defibrillators, but he never regained consciousness and died five days later, authorities said.